Bob Vernon in real life was Robert Cozart. I first became aware of him when he was doing afternoons on WGAR in Cleveland. I instantly fell in love with his work on air.
I would later find out that Lima, Ohio native Bob had worked for WBUK here in Columbus in the late 60's, then went to Painesville. He was offered a weekend gig at WGAR and knew he would irritate the Painesville management by using his real name, so thus was born Bob Vernon and Vernon with a V. Bob was only in Cleveland a few years before moving with Jack Thayer to New York City to host afternoons on WNBC. After a few years there, he would move to television and was last seen in the Raliegh-Durham market after a 17+ year run in the market. A previous stint in Kentucky earned him the title of Kentucky Colonel. After retirement, he moved to Colorado to be closer to grandchildren. Bob died of a blood disease at the age of 70.
RIP Vernon with a V.
